Tony Kofi & The Organisation celebrates 100 years of Lou Donaldson

A tribute concert by saxophonist Tony Kofi and The Organisation marking the centenary of Lou Donaldson, the bebop alto saxophonist whose recordings helped define soul jazz. It takes place at World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens in London.

This evening honours Lou Donaldson, the bebop alto saxophonist who moved into soul jazz and made his mark on the Blue Note era. Tony Kofi, an acclaimed saxophonist, leads The Organisation in the tribute, which grew out of Tony Kofi's encounter with Donaldson in 1993. The performers are paying homage to Donaldson's music; Donaldson himself does not appear.

The repertoire follows Donaldson's path from his bebop beginnings to the soul jazz recordings of the Blue Note years. Donaldson favourites such as Blues Walk, Hot Dog, Good Gracious!, Rev. Moses, Alligator Bogaloo and Ode to Billie Joe feature alongside music associated with Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charles Earland, Big John Patton, Pat Martino and George Benson.

The concert is aimed at listeners who enjoy jazz standards, the organ-led soul jazz of the 1960s and the Blue Note catalogue. It is staged at World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, a London venue that hosts concerts and shows.